The biggest winners and most spectacular trailers of the Game Awards 2023
At the Oscars of the video game industry, not only are prizes awarded, but also lots of games are announced. Here you can find the biggest winners and the best trailers from the show.
For the tenth time, the Game Awards took place in Los Angeles on Thursday night. The best games of the year were honoured in a total of 31 categories and many new game trailers were presented. The event was hosted by Game Awards founder and industry guru Geoff Keighley.
The nominations were determined by an international jury of over 100 media professionals. The jury's votes count for 90 per cent when choosing the winners. The results of an open vote also count for 10 per cent.
These games won the most money
The mega role-playing game "Baldur's Gate III" from Larian Studios won the most awards. The game picked up six awards. It was honoured in the categories "Best Community Support", "Best RPG", "Best Multiplayer Game", "Player's Voice" and "Game of the Year". It beat off strong competition in the latter category. Also nominated were "Alan Wake II", "Spider-Man 2", "Resident Evil 4", "Super Mario Bros Wonder" and "The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom". Neil Newbon, better known as Astarion, also took home the award for Best Performance.
Developer studio Remedy can also be satisfied. They scooped three prestigious awards with "Alan Wake II". The psychological thriller was honoured in the categories "Best Game Direction", "Best Narrative" and "Best Art Direction". The game also had by far the best stage presence. The cast of the game performed a song from "Alan Wake II" live on stage.
One of the big losers of the evening was "Spider-Man 2" and "The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom". The former game was nominated in a total of eight categories and failed to win an award. "Tears of the Kingdom" was nominated in seven categories and was at least able to take home the award for "Best Action Adventure".
A complete list of the winners can be found on the official website of the Game Awards.
The most spectacular trailers of the Game Awards
The Game Awards not only present prizes, but also many trailers for new games. Here are the most spectacular videos and announcements from the show
"OD": Hideo Kojima employees with Jordan Peele
Hideo Kojima is a must at a Keighley show. This time, the brilliant game director brought his new project "OD" with him. What exactly is it? No idea. The trailer shows extremely detailed heads reading a disturbing poem. According to Kojima, the game will utilise cloud gaming technologies in an innovative way. It is a new art form, somewhere between film and game. Horror expert Jordan Peele is also involved. Other legendary filmmakers are also rumoured to be involved in the game. I'm confused. And curious.
Will be released sometime for Xbox Series X/S and PC.
"Light No Fire": An entire planet to explore
An open world without borders. That's what the "No Man's Sky" studio promises with its new game. Instead of the entire universe, you explore an entire planet. This should be much more detailed and lifelike than the partly empty celestial bodies in "No Man's Sky". Particularly impressive: the whole thing is being realised by a team of twelve people.
Will be released sometime for consoles and PC.
"Monster Hunter Wilds": Hunting monsters again at last
Capcom presented a new "Monster Hunter" at the Game Awards. The trailer shows familiar Monster Hunter gameplay in a next-gen guise. Capcom does not yet want to reveal any details. New information on the game will not be released until summer 2024.
Released 2025 for PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC.
"Last Sentinel": Dystopian open world from "GTA" developer
Steve C. Martin, one of the creative minds behind "GTA V" and "Red Dead Redemption 2", announced his new game on the Game Awards stage. "Last Sentinel" is set in a dystopian sci-fi world in Tokyo. The Lightspeed LA studio is made up of developers who have worked on AAA titles such as "The Last of Us", "Uncharted" and "Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order".
Delivered sometime for consoles and PC.
"Blade": New fodder for superhero fans
To mark the vampire hunter's 50th birthday, there's a trailer for a new "Blade" game from Arkane. No, not Arkane Austin, who released the controversial "Redfall" this year, but the Lyon-based studio that developed "Dishonored" and "Deathloop", among others. The game is supposed to be a single-player action adventure in the Blade universe. Only a short cutscene can be seen in the trailer. There is no date for the game yet.
Will be released sometime for consoles and PC.
"Hellblade II: Senua's Saga": Nightmarishly beautiful
The sequel to "Senua's Sacrifice" receives a new trailer. It gives an insight into the game's combat system. As always, the whole thing looks incredibly beautiful. Unfortunately, there is no exact release date. It should be ready in 2024.
Released 2024 for Xbox Series X/S and PC.
"God of War: Ragnarok Valhalla": Free DLC for Kratos' Nordic adventure
In a complete surprise, "God of War: Ragnarök" is back with a free DLC. In this DLC, Kratos has to face various challenges in a rogue-like mode. The DLC is free and will be released on 12 December. Will we also soon receive a story expansion that tells us what happens to Kratos' son Atreus after the end of "Ragnarök"?
Released on 12 December for PS5 and PS4.
"The Finals": The chaos shooter is coming soon
Surprise, the second. The chaotic shooter "The Finals" is officially available from today with Season 1. The game was previously in Early Access. The special twist about "The Finals": The game environments can be almost completely destroyed.
Available now for PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC.
"Final Fantasy XVI: Echoes of the Fallen & The Rising Tide": Two expansions at once
Surprise, the third. Final Fantasy fans will also be able to enjoy new expansions. The first, "Echoes of the Fallen", is available from today. "The Rising Tide" is set to follow next year.
"Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth": Live performance with orchestra
For the second part of the remake of the "Final Fantasy 7" trilogy, there was not only a new trailer, but also a live performance with orchestra. The theme song to "Rebirth" was played and some new scenes from the game were shown. The game will be released on 29 February and won the "Most Anticipated Game" award at the Game Awards. It was also announced that "Final Fantasy" skins are coming to "Apex Legends". Because... why not.
Released on 29 February for PS5.
"Black Myth Wukong": The Soulslike continues to look promising
The Chinese Soulslike is back with a new, spectacular story trailer. The Soulslike looks fantastic. Phil and I played the game at Gamescom and loved it. You don't have to wait much longer to plunge into the adventure yourself. It starts on 20 August.
Released on 20 August for PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC.
"Jurassic Park Survival": Survival on Isla Nublar
As a "Jurassic Park" fanboy, I can hardly believe what I'm seeing here. In "Survival", I slip into the role of an explorer who has been forgotten on Isla Nublar. Apparently, the game takes place shortly after the end of the first film. A dream comes true. That's all I want from a "Jurassic Park" game.
Will be released some day for PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC.
"Rise of the Ronin": The samurai epic looks fantastic
Team Ninja has shown a new trailer for their PS5-exclusive samurai adventure "Rise of the Ronin". And it looks fantastic. The trailer gives an insight into the combat system with samurai sword and pistol.
Released on 22 March for PS5.
"Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League": New release date
DC fans weren't really that enthusiastic about the first deep dive presentation of "Suicide Squad". Many fans fear that "Suicide Squad" will be a microtransaction-infested live-service game without a soul. Even after a lengthy postponement, the game still looks the same in the new trailer. The worries of the fans will not be alleviated with the new impressions.
Released on 02 February for PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC.
"Lost Records": Horror adventure à la "Life is Strange"
A new narrative adventure game from the makers of "Life is Strange". A spiritual successor, so to speak. The short teaser video exudes a subtly creepy "Stranger Things" vibe, with a pinch of "It".
Released at the end of 2024 for PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC.
"The Casting of Frank Stone": Horror crossover
Supermassive Games, the development studio behind horror games such as "Until Dawn", is developing a game in the "Dead by Daylight" universe. An interesting combination.
Released 2024 for consoles and PC.
"Dragon Ball Sparking Zero": Fighting game with a nostalgia factor
"Dragon Ball" fans watch out! Bandai Namco has announced a new fighting game in the "Dragon Ball" universe. The gameplay is said to be based on the legendary "Budokai Tenkaichi" series of games
Will be released sometime for PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC.
"Den of Wolves": "Payday" in a sci-fi setting
10 Chambers, the studio behind "GTFO" and the heist game series "Payday", presented a completely new game at the Game Awards. In terms of gameplay, it should be similar to the "Payday" games. Only in a sci-fi setting full of high-tech weapons.
Will be released some day for PC.
Sega announces 5 games in one trailer
Japanese publisher Sega has shown a special trailer. Five new games are presented in this trailer. Are you ready for a load of nostalgia? Then you can look forward to "Jet Set Radio", "Shinobi", "Golden Axe", "Streets of Rage" and "Crazy Taxi". Really crazy.
"Exodus": Time travel and aliens
"Exodus" is a sci-fi RPG set in space. The trailer promises "Mass Effect" vibes. The lead role is played by Hollywood actor Matthew McConaughey, who also presented the game on stage. Decisions will have far-reaching effects on the course of the game due to time travel and distortions of the time-space continuum.
Delivered sometime for PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC.
"Mecha Break": multiplayer mech game
You want more mecha action after "Armored Core VI"? Then "Mecha Break" might be the game for you. The game promises chaotic 3v3, 6v6 and battle royale battles with giant robots
Delivered sometime for PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC.
You can find all other trailers here in the alphabetical overview:
- "Asgard's Wrath II"
- "Big Walk"
- "Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons Remake"
- "Dave the Diver Dredge"
- "Exoborne"
- "GTFO: The Final Chapter"
- "Harmonium"
- "Honkai Starrail"
- "Kemuri"
- "Metaphor: ReFantazio"
- "No Rest for the Wicked"
- "Pony Island 2: Panda Circus"
- "Stormgate"
- "Tales of Kenzera: Zau"
- "The First Berzerker"
- "The First Descendant"
- "The Rise of the Golden Idol"
- "Thrasher"
- "Usual June"
- "Visions of Mana"
- "Warframe: Whispers in the Wall"
- "Windblown"
- "World of Goo 2"
- "Zenless Zone Zero"
My love of video games was unleashed at the tender age of five by the original Gameboy. Over the years, it's grown in leaps and bounds.